Hillary on Newt "invented" Palestinians comment: Not helpful

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in an interview with PBS's Jim Lehrer, answered a question about whether Newt Gingrich's comments about Palestinians as an "invented" people was "helpful":

"No. No. And i think he recognized that from what I read. I think he realized that was, you know, one of those 'innovative' moments that happens in politics."

Subtle jabs about Gingrich's "innovative" moments aside, the former House Speaker actually doubled down on the comments in the GOP debate in Iowa on Saturday, as Mitt Romney suggested they were reckless. Clinton's position would be in line with Romney's, and it is likely to be used to effect against Gingrich as a nominee in a general election.

But it's not clear that the bulk of GOP base voters - including evangelicals who feel strongly about Israel, and hawks looking for the next Ronald Reagan - will see it that way.